Continental, a leading tire manufacturer, announced its continued partnership with the Tour de France, supplying tires for both the race’s support vehicles and professional cycling teams.
Sustainable Tires for Support Vehicles
This year marks the debut of the Continental UltraContact NXT, the company’s most sustainable passenger car tire to date, on Tour de France support vehicles. These tires boast a high percentage of recycled and renewable materials (up to 65%) while maintaining top safety and performance standards. Notably, all sizes achieve the EU tire label’s top rating (“A”) in rolling resistance, wet braking, and noise reduction.
“The Tour de France is a perfect platform to showcase our products’ performance,” says Thomas Wanka, Senior Development Engineer for Continental. “The UltraContact NXT, alongside our bicycle tires, will be on display for weeks, contributing to a safe and sustainable Tour.”
Three Specialized Bicycle Tires for Pro Teams
Seven UCI WorldTeams will compete on Continental bicycle tires. The lineup features three options:
- Grand Prix 5000 S TR: This improved all-rounder is a familiar sight at the Tour.
- Grand Prix 5000 AS TR: A new, robust tire offering significantly more grip in wet conditions.
- Grand Prix 5000 TT TR: An ultra-lightweight and fast tire specifically designed for time trials.
All three tires are tubeless-ready, allowing riders to ditch inner tubes for potential weight savings and improved puncture resistance. They also feature a continuous central strip for maximum contact area, specialized tread compounds for optimal grip, and the Lazer Grip shoulder design for enhanced cornering control.
By supplying tires and exploring the Tour’s multifaceted nature, Continental solidifies its position as a key player in this prestigious cycling event.
